Question

Circumcision at age two?

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I will be adopting my son this week and he was not circumcised as an infant. I am considering having him circumcised. All the rest of the boys and men in my extended family are circumcised. I would like to also prevent any stigma later in life for him or the possible infections that can occur. Has anyone experienced circumcising their son as a toddler? Thank you for your insights!

Mom Answers

I was going to champion intact, but I see you've already decided to leave things alone! If he is non-retractable, make sure nobody retracts his foreskin for any reason. That is meant to be a job for the boy. If he has already been forcefully retracted, there may be some scarring which may lead to tightness later on. If a Dr diagnoses him with phimosis before adulthood, remember that circumcision is a LAST resort...but hopefully whoever has been caring for him in his two years knows proper intact care, which is basically leaving it alone!
Congratulations on your son!

my son and husband are both intact (not circumcised) neither of them have ever had an infection or an issue arising from their foreskin, as long as you do not ever retract his foreskin he should be fine, circumcision is an unnecessary surgery and is a violation of a childs basic human rights, he is perfect just ho he is leave him that ay

I'm delighted to hear you decided against it. :) It's completely understandable that when we grow up surrounded by circumcision we think its a "right" thing to do, but then we learn more and see that it isn't. Kudos to you for doing research before making such a big decision. I'm sure your son will grow up quite happy to know his mommy loved him enough to keep him whole. <3

I hadn't been presented with any facts yet...that's why I was asking for help and advice. I was going to talk to his dr at his next appointment. Next time I will be sure not to ask for any advice on this or any website. Again, I thank those who were willing to provide me with help an information an not judge me.

Please don't do it. If he's between 2 and 7 years, he may feel it as a castration - I did. I was circumcised at 5. I was afraid, frustrated and angered. I begged the doctor not to do it, I feel that the doctor should have spoken to my parents, should have considered alternatives, but he sedated me and proceeded.
It affected my self esteem and my relationship with my body.
I'm 41 years old. I have one teenager son (intact). He's never had any problems.
As you can notice from the replies, it's clear that the culture is changing and your son won't be subjected to any stigma for having the totality of his body.
In fact, why should anyone be stigmatized for having his or her whole body? This idea bogs my mind. If you knew how much I wished to be intact all of my life! In fact, since February I'm doing a tedious process of foreskin restoration.
The most important thing is to NEVER retract his foreskin. Proper care: http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/foreskin-care

I don't need to know you or your son. It's plain as day, you said said "you are considering having him circumcised". That's ALL I need to know. I know what I said was very harsh, but we need to stop beating around the bush here, and see this procedure for what it really is.....violance and child abuse. If you do it, you will be permanetly exposing the glans which is not natural ,causing it to keratinize over time, loss of sensitivity, constantly rubbing against diapers and underwear. The glans is meant to be a protected organ especially in infancy and in young boys when the foreskin is still fused to the glans preventing feces from getting near the urethra. In the past, parents circumcised their sons out of ignorance ,just because that is what they think needs to be done. Now a days, when we know so much more about the functions of the foreskin and the complications from cutting it off, if parents still do it after being presented with the facts, then YES if I had my way they would

The foreskin serves self-protective, immunological and sexual functions. it's there for many reasons. During infancy/childhood the foreskin is fused to the glans and prevents foreign bacteria from entering the urinary meatus. This is especially important during the diaper years, when e. coli from feces is the main cause of UTI's. The immunological benefits offered by the mucosa membrane lining under the foreskin are removed with circumcision. There are many properties that help prevent infection contained within it. When your son grown into a man, his foreskin will serve him by providing the 5 most sensitive of all the erogeneous areas on the penis. Circumcision removes them, along with the gliding action that offers moving pressure stimulation to the female during intercourse. Circumcised males offer only friction stimulation, which dries out the vagina and causes miicrotears in the tissue, opening the way for irritation and infection. Circumcision affects both partners.

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